-Sit in a courtroom and observe a trial for two hours (ask an official which one is most interesting
you’ll find that everyone knows the schedule) Dress nicely and smile.
-Sit in the ER and read, only listen, do not make eye contact, do not touch the arms of the chair.
Dress poorly. Do not smile.
-Wait in any lobby for someone-as if they were coming for you.
-Eat alone.
-Go to a cinema alone and take in a film alone.
-Travel alone. Pack lightly. Smile small when you feel stupid and sorry and don’t know what to say.
-Drive to the DMV. Don’t get out of your car, just put it in Park (if available), idle and make some notes, reasons, identities, and etceteras.
(Patience is guaranteed to be in no place. Like an ounce of gold in a ton of dirt. Don’t give any away to strangers handling hot pans.)
Wait with Will. Watch with wariness. Write with wonder.
Make the present interesting.
Active Membership dues are paid in Participation points,
The verbiage puts us in our places-
Your lines are next to appear, to laugh or to frown
We are all just nouns waiting to be called adjectively.
Artwork by George Romney [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons, c. 1734-1802,
Yale Center for British Art.
